Last week we posted about the fifth anniversary of the International Court of Justice ruling on the separation barrier Israel is building in and around the West Bank.
We mentioned how, despite it being one of the Palestinians’ most hated symbols of Israeli occupation, some people had worked the barrier into their daily lives, using it as a backdrop for movie screenings, restaurant menus and all manner of protest - artistic and otherwise.
Now Cellcom, an Israeli mobile phone company has used a portion of the separation barrier as the backdrop for one of its TV commercials - causing something of a stir in the blogosphere and on social networks like Facebook (login required) and YouTube.
Its not an original idea. As you will have seen in the video in last week’s post - the wall has already been used as a tennis net by activists protesting its existence and, in the video below, to promote an extraordinary idea that an Israeli-Palestinian joint bid for a World Cup soccer tournament might be a catalyst for peace.
Interesting to note that in neither video do you see what’s happening on the other side of the wall as the ball sails over - which is what’s got the bloggers up in arms.
The Promised Land blog notes: “The voice over at the end (of the Cellcom commerical) goes ‘What do we all want? Some fun, that’s all’ And what’s more fun than not seeing the Palestinians around anymore, thanks to the 10 meters high wall?”
More from Half and Half, where the question asked is: “But who is it on the other side? Are they from another planet? Do they mean us no harm? Let us communicate with them via foot and ball and see if their intentions are sincere.”
Many of those posting comments on the Haaretz website reject the idea that the ad is somehow racist, as suggested by some angry bloggers, with some comments even offering that the ad sends an uplifting message of peace.
The East Jerusalem resident speaking in our video story below echoes that sentiment - although he is in no doubt who is responsible for the lack of peace.
For the full story on this, including comments from Cellcom on their ad, click here.
Is the ad just a harmless kick-about? Or is there something troubling about it?
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7 comments so far
And why aren’t any of those voices in the article?
“Many of those posting comments on Haaretz’s take on this story reject the idea that the ad is somehow racist, as suggested by some angry bloggers, with some comments even offering that the ad sends an uplifting message of peace.
The East Jerusalem resident speaking in our video story below echoes that sentiment”
- Posted by gileadThe only thing that amuses the Arabs is when Arabs kill Jews. The wall has worked well in keeping Arab terrorists out and saving lives. Seems that a lot of Arabs don’t like that much. The ad is very harmless, while the Palestinians teaching little kids to hate and murder Israelis is not so harmless.
- Posted by Enrico[...] Now Cellcom, an Israeli mobile phonRead more at http://blogs.reuters.com/axismundi/2009/ 07/12/walls-and-balls/ [...]
- Posted by Lieberman: Build peace, don’t impose it…. AxisMundi Jerusalem » Blog Archive…. | India NewsI think the ad is stupid. After all them soldiers gathered a bomb comes over the wall and blows them up. Now that is the real world. I played soccer for three years in school. We were city champs all three years. Like must Americans I grew up and played real football.
- Posted by RobertQ. How do you know when a wall is taken for granted?
A. When you forget exactly why it was built in the first place.
The next time you see that ad and decry the wall, do some research on the two intifadas.
- Posted by AnonEnrico, I have to ask you…
When you lie about Arabs that way and in that totally derogatory and disrespectful manner, do you think you are doing Israel a positive service?
Do you believe that being obnoxious and spreading obviously false information somehow presents a good public relations image for Israel?
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By the way Anon, do you believe the Intifadas happened in a vacuum or were there other factors in play?
You seem to be leaving out the cause of those Intifadas.
- Posted by Michael HessWell, if you want to see how the wall stops attacks, then look at the statistics for those attacks.
If you want to see how Palestinians educate their children to kill Israelis, then watch “Tomorrow’s Pioneers”.
I believe that speaks to the ‘obviously false’ information you accused Enrico of making..
As for the Intifadas, are you implying that deliberate attacks on civilian targets, for the purpose of killing civilians, was somehow justified?
If yes, then you support war crimes. If no, then the wall is justified.
- Posted by Anon